Local News

Causeway Looking For Funding To Improve Retaining Walls

Two days after a 19-year-old Metairie man died after his Ford F-250 pickup plunged into Lake Pontchartrain from the southbound span of the Causeway bridge, the Causeway Commission met Wednesday and discussed bridge safety.

Causeway officials say the bridge's retaining walls are below modern standards and need to be brought up. The walls on the southbound span are 25 inches high from the roadway while the walls on the northbound span are 31 inches high.

The southbound span opened in 1956 while the northbound span opened in 1969.

Despite losing out on a $28 million federal grant to bring the retaining walls up to standards, Causeway officials say they're moving forward with a plan to improve the railings.

Bridge General Manager Carlton Dufrechou says the commission plans to hire the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to come up with a design.

"I can't tell you where the money will come from, but we've got to do it," Dufrechou said.